Clinton Bennett is clearly both a liberal Christian believer and a pluralist. Here he presents an anthology of images of Jesus, both historical and current, arranged in insider (Christian) and outsider (non-Christian) categories. The book gets to grips with questions of interpretation and image of pictures of Jesus starting from the belief that Jesus is interpretation from the first. Interpretation, for Bennett, leads to plurality, even if only as an empirical fact. He suggests this mandates an attitude of humility towards Jesus in place of a more dogmatic, and unsubstantiatable, certainty.

Bennett is clearly concerned not to sideline what might be described as marginal voices on Jesus. He writes in a consciously inclusive way. Space is given here to black, feminist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, film and fictional images in addition to more traditional ones and ones more related to the study of Jesus as an historical figure (i.e. that which is academically known as the Quest of the Historical Jesus).

The book is clearly aimed at a general readership. It contains a chapter on sources for the life of Jesus which, to a student or scholar of Jesus, would be largely mundane and uninspiring. Yet Bennett explicitly believes that the sources wrote about Jesus what they already believed to be true. If only he could have written more about this. Indeed, the trouble with this anthology, as with others, is that there is plenty of detailing of various images of Jesus but oh so little critique of these images. At one point Bennett remarks that we need to read not only the images of Jesus but the biography of the imager of Jesus. This is more intriguing stuff but Bennett doesn't really interact any further with his interesting suggestion.

Finally Bennett subsumes Jesus, in his image, under the rubric "a liberated and liberating Jesus". Bennett, who was a Christian missionary in a former life, offers us a liberal Jesus who can bring us peace, love and harmony. He writes, "Only when Jesus is Chinese for the Chinese, Indian for the Indians, will he be regarded as truly FOR these contexts". In this he may be right but he does not discuss this theoretically so much as land the belief in our laps without further discussion. This I regard as an oversight and a lack of persuasion on his part. There is also little attention to the Jesus of history as a constraint on pictures of Jesus (whilst the Jesus of history is discussed as a subject in itself). Indeed, a discussion of constraint more generally seems mandated by the subject matter here. Bennett offers us a tantalising and interesting selection of Jesus images, playing on what he remarks as "Christianity's belief in the translatability of the Gospel", but now I'm looking forward to the day when he can present us with a coherent presentation of how the multiplicity, plurality and translatability he presents might be regarded. Legitimate or legitimate? What controls, what should control, how Jesus is viewed? If Bennett's book be a guide, these questions are highly relevant for millions, if not billions of people.

In Search of Jesus: Insider and Outsider Images by Clinton Bennett (Continuum) gives a survey of the pious and academic inquiries into both the Jesus of Faith and of history and what is involved in seeing Jesus within the lights of many approaches. As an introduction to the study of Jesus this work offers both respect for faith and tradition as well as a critical and fair account of the many images of Jesus emerging from academic study of religious formation and scripture exegesis. In Search of Jesus is a good introduction to the field and is useful as a guide to current literature and major themes of study.

In Search of Muhammad by Clinton Bennett (Cassell) a survey of evidence for a biography of Muhammad that also provides some recognition of the pious dimensions of the meaning of the Prophet in Islamic thought. As an academic inquiry into both the Mohammad of Faith and of history this work provides an introductory account principal documents and traditions from which to draw an historical account of Muhammad. Bennett offers an orientation to the evidence that is usually either assumed or not discussed in traditional and popular accounts of the life of the Prophet. As an introduction to the critical study of what is involved in the biography of Muhammad, this work offers both respect for faith and tradition as well as a critical and fair account of the many critical views about of Muhammad emerging from academic study of social and religious formation of Islam and creation of the Qur'an as a scripture. In Search of Muhammad is a better than average introduction to the field and is useful as a guide to current literature and major themes of study.

...books regarding understanding Muhammad from a more Western (or Christian) point of view. Mr. Bennett is honest, sympathetic and drawn to Muhammad. The inclusion of his personal views actually adds depth to the book. He is not an 'orientalist' nor an 'apologeticist' nor is he a 'polemicist'. He is seeking an honest, objective view of who he was and who he is. His is one of the more honest and overly objective books I have encountered on the subject. He is drawn to Muhammad.

This can be used as both a criticism and a high compliment. The honesty with which he approaches the subject matter radiates and leaves the reader listening not to the intentions of the author but to the actual text and what is being said. Oftentimes books about Muhammad are so overly hostile that any objectivity flies out the window. On the flip side books on Muhammad often border on deifying him and objectivity is thus also lost.

Mr. Bennett's assessment of the sources reveals what can and can not be known and shows the diversity of how Muhammad is seen and understood. There is no monolithic Islam and there is no monolithic understanding of Muhammad. To an extent, Muhammad is almost (emphasis: almost) as mythic as the founders of other religions.

Reading this book will open the reader's eyes to a more educated approach to understanding the enduring appeal of Muhammad in the hearts of believers and the impact of Muhammad still felt on the world. The reader will come to know that what we so often hear about Muhammad is often either wrong, distorted or might even be rendered as mere folk tale (or, in today's jargon, an urban legend).

I just finished this book and enjoyed it immensely. Drew provides a fly-on-the-wall account of the early Clinton years with breathtaking depth. With the benefit of a few years' hindsight, her analysis and perceptions at the time were spot-on. Highly recommended for political junkies and people interested in the inner workings of the White House.

I consulted this book for background on how the administration handled the Bosnian war and got swept into it. Drew is an outstanding writer, and her style is reminiscent of Bob Woodward's.

This presents a full account of Clinton and his aides, their battles, their personalities, etc. Clinton definitely had a rough going early on...it's hard to believe he stayed so popular all along.

Anyway, if you like Woodward's stuff (All the President's Men, Commanders, the Brethren, etc.), you'll find this very interesting. I am sure we will see more good things from Drew again.

This collection of magazine and newspaper articles follows R.E.M. as they go from college band to cult favorite to arena fillers. Many of the aritcles were 1st published in lesser known mags like Bucketfull of Brains, so they have an edge that you don't find in places like Rolling Stone.And it's interesting to see the band members adroitly justify doing things they'd sworn they'd never do, like lip-synch, switch record labels or play arenas, or break up when a member left. They still make great music, so who cares? I'd recommend this book if you're a hard-core fan, but if you're a casual fan, it's probably more information than you need.

This book is the most comprehensive review of Charlie Parker's life and his influence on sociey today. This is a must read for any jazz fan or performer.

Elizabeth Drew has brought years of experience and contact work to the effort to cast light behind one of the most conflict-ridden periods in recent American politics. Parting the curtains of public affairs rhetoric and the pap spoon-fed to the nightly news shows, she shows the reader both the hard policy considerations and the fragile egos at play in the 1994-1995 battles between Bill Clinton's White House and Newt Gingrich's House of Representatives. Two caveats: 1) for political junkies only; if you don't eat, breathe and sleep political intrigue, you ain't gonna care; 2) the editor could have done a little better job of smoothing Drew's dry journalistic style into a somewhat more flowing and readable narrative.

Ok, I admit it; I am a political junky and a bit of a liberal. I will tend to read anything political and probably enjoy it. With that being said here is another book of his that I will profess to really enjoying. This author has been writing these type of book sense the early 70's and you can tell she has it down cold. She has so many contacts that many times in reading the book you could swear she has the Congress and White House bugged. This book follows the Ginrich contract with American process and how it effects the Clinton team through the second two years that they are in office. You get all the standard Drew items with the book, great details, wonderful he said - she said conversations that really make you feel like a fly on the wall, an easy to follow and well laid out book.

I have read the book "The Agenda" and "The Choice" by Woodward and this book is a nice book in the middle of the two. If you through in "All Too Human" that George Stephanopoulos wrote and you have an excellent view of the first four years of the Clinton Presidency. This is an interesting book that I really enjoyed. If you like political books then you will like this book, if you are interested in the second two years of the Clinton presidency then this is also a good source of information.

Barbara Boxer wrote this book very well...for the avid political guru or for the beginner. She gives a detailed and most personal account of how it was growing up and evolving as a woman in the political arena. hope to get this one signed by her!

I reviewed this book for a political science class, and have since refered to it many other times for enlightenment, inspiration and that general pick me up. Boxer and her daughter write a frank and enlightening journey of the path that modern political women have taken in the baby-boomer generation.

Born at a time when women were encouraged to be a Senator's wife, the women elected during the 1992 "Year of the Woman" were also influenced by the women's movement of the 1960's and 1970's. For the first time in history, women were told that they had a right to seek power in their own name and the above mentioned sense is growing stronger with each new generation.

While women went to Washington before 1992, there was an unspoken assumption they were not going to make waves, instead defering to their male colleagues. Perhaps most importanly, they would only mention women's issues if it was in the context of maintaining the status quo (ie help for homemakers) and did not work as directly for women's equality as would be expected today.

Although it is written by one Senator, the reader can really sense that it was a collaborative effort for all the women in the class of 1992. Even as we have reached higher numbers of women in office (with the election of Michigan's Debbie Stabenow, Missouri's Jean Carnahan and New York's Hillary Rodham Clinton) the journey will never be completed until society becomes more comfortable with independent women office holders.

Obviously very relevant to political women, this book is a good mentoring tool for women in all professions. Even though it is biased towards the next generation of liberal democrats, I also believe that conservatives will be able to draw some inspiration from this book as well. Women will continue to break down political inequalities making our legislative bodies more accurately reflect the population.

There's fun stuff in this book written by a young writer about the Clinton Years.

Bret Meanor is self-revelatory as he records his reactions to the Reagan years and thereafter, writing in a personal prose that clips along and keeps you reading.

Who wouldn't want chapter after chapter of oftimes squirming-in-the-seat Republican responses to Clinton's bravura and awfulness?

Meanor's disappointment with Clinton is much more sincere than Kenneth Starr's, whose reaction to Clinton seemed closer to inverted lust.

But Starr - and George Bush and Robert Dole - are handled with loving kindness here, which that gives Clinton's flagrancy an especially mad edge as he and Hillary fly in the face of the decency and common sense of the author's expectations.

I came away refreshed by Meanor's full head of steam, building through the book as surely as Clinton's own apparent race to the bottom.

This peppy work proves we'll never have enough to read about the former President. Start with this one and you'll be well ahead of the pack.

Bret Meanor, a new author, yet straight to the point with strong words and clear visuals, describes the 43 president as a man who was unable to lead. His character and personality flaws led his agenda down the wrong path for America. Fortunately for us, crises did not ruin America. Clinton's leadership could not have withstood the potential problems we might have had while he was in term. His own personal agenda was more important than the country's needs. That made his rise to power awkward at best and downright tragic at its worst. Bret describes poignantly the character of Hillary Clinton in chapter 6 titled, "Hillary's Photo Album". Here she is seen as one who just wants to have power, unwilling to sacrifice and really fight for the cause she believed in. Bret writes, "It is very possible that she really wanted to have the personal authority to dictate health care policy in the United States for the next 30 years...She too loved the power of the office, but like her husband, never understood the boundaries." Bret writes with a personal style that makes you feel like you are having a fireside chat with the author, speaking clearly and with some strong words, but deals fairly with the president's two terms. Bret is not afraid to speak the thoughts many of us have been afraid to share openly, yet he does it without timidity. Bret's work is a strong effort and a good read, even if the subject matter is a painful walk down memory lane.

It was about war. It was educational book for children. This book was kind of interesting. The genre of my story was mystery. [Eulalia Aparicio]

This book basically proves that without the help of black freedman, the war against the South could not have won. It's the story of the 54th Regiment, the first colored regiment. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was commanding officer of the 54th regiment. The Civil War was at first a white mens war, but that didnt last long.The colored men came from 22 states, north and south. Most were in their twenties, some as young as sixteen,and many were in their forties. These black men risked their lives for the Union cause. At first they were treated very harshly because they were a colored regiment. Although treated like second-class soldiers, their gallant assault on Fort Wagner erased all doubt about their ability to fight. By the end of the civil war, however, tehy proved their courage and determination as they fought to free their brothers and sisters from slavery.

I put on about 100,000 frequent flier miles a year. Once in an airport while waiting for a delay I came across this book. Almost as a joke I bought it to amuse my travel companions. We all joked a bit about it for a while. Our flight eventually boarded and I took the book out and began to read. I was captivated. I finished the book in less than a day. I left it on my desk in the office and people are still borrowing to this day. There is something morbid about reading these accounts but once you start you will not be able to finish.

Covers the effect or lack of effect of aviation deregulation on aircraft accidents in the US. Shows primary causes and has an amazing number of statistics on how and why aircraft crash

Though nowhere near the importance or writing quality of a Koestler book, nevertheless Brock's book blows the lid off the moral emptiness of movement "conservatives."

I'm "anonymous" for a reason: I witnessed a lot of the events that Brock portrays accurately in his book, and I am a conservative who was also a first-hand witness to the Gingrich revolution. I bought the book with the mindset that Brock was a scam artist and opportunist; I finished the book with the mindset that he has done this country, and true conservatives, a great service. Take it from me: though Brock may have lied in the past, in the service of his paymasters, he is NOT lying now.

Brock describes so accurately how hypocritical a lot of conservatives are. No one is flawless, but it's sickening to read Brock's chronicle, and to remember my own recollections, of how movement conservatives would attack others for the same behavior they themselves engage in.

Hypocrisy is just the tip of the iceberg. Brock accurately cites the bigotry that pervades the movement, especially sexual bigotry like homophobia. Movement conservatives' obsession with sex, which culminated in the constitutional bonfire of the Clinton impeachment, did not just cause the undoing of some conservative politicians' careers (Livingston, Gingrich), but is a particular epidemic of the movement. Washington is Sodom and Gomorrah rolled up into one, at least on the conservative side.

Sex, as well as disregard for the rule of law and common sense, is why conservatives went after Clinton. I was no fan of Clinton when he was in office, and my only beefs with him were legal (lying before a grand jury) and political, not personal. Still, I became sickened as the impeachment process wore on, but I laughed at the same time, because many Clinton critics' own personal lives would put Monica Lewinsky's to shame. And I remember being in Washington, and watching Hillary Clinton attacking a "vast right-wing conspiracy." Though I knew of many coordinated efforts to "get the Clintons," I was not aware of how vast this extra-constitutional effort really was. Brock is so incredibly precise in explaining the machinations, fueled by far right-wing money, of movement conservatives trying to undermine a sitting president.

I can't say enough about Brock's book. As a conservative, I am appalled at how the party of Reagan and Lincoln has been taken over by hucksters, charlatans and confidence men, posing as principled members of the right. With both political extremes showing themselves capable of pursuing their aims at all costs, I fear for our nation, because one day our system may break from the stress of yet another hypocritical witchhunt. Or, maybe Brock's book will touch enough people and change enough minds, like it did mine, and we will become less destructive in our politics.

Goeffrey Toobin's book, _ A Vast Conspiracy_, is pretty good. Gene Lyons' and Joe Conason's _The Hunting of the President_ is also good. But this is by far the best book to explain, succinctly and by means of a personal odyssey, just what happened in the '90s as the corrupt and hypocritical GOP right wingers pursued Bill Clinton.

Brock is a fine writer. Yes, he is self-indulgent to a degree, but if you are sympathetic to his situation, you will find it more "introspective" as he struggled with his sexual orientation, his suspicions about his friends' true feelings toward him, but most importantly, his suspicions about the integrity of the VRWC.

Almost everyone in the VRWC gets trashed convincingly here: The Wall Street Journal, Kenneth Starr, Theodore Olson, Bill Bennett, Ann Coulter, Robert Bork, Matt Drudge. As a special bonus, Brock adds personal insults that are mostly well-deserved. (For every cheap shot he offers against some of these people, he usually offers examples of worse conduct on their parts...

It takes a lot of courage to write a book like this, wherein the author acknowledges that he stretched the truth and journalistic ethics in his political diatribes that were so influential in the "hunting of the President". I found his observations about his personal struggles with those who were supposedly his close personal friends to be convincing and moving, whether they were the results of his sexual orientation or his increasing estrangement from the right wing.

I think it's pretty telling that no one has succeeded in attacking Brock's book on the merits or the facts. And the insights he offers about how one can get caught up in the social, financial, and political advantages of service to a well-funded and glamorous coterie of partisans only make his book more convincing. The Bush administration is full of VRWC members. He also offers some observations that I have been looking for in the mainstream press, but have not been able to find, such as that many of the so-called "commentators" in the middle of the so-called "Lewinsky scandal", including most of those you used to see on the cable news programs--Olson, Braden, Levin, Coulter, Bennett, Fund, et al. were in fact members, even paid members, of the VRWC...

I highly recommend this book. Why not five stars? No photos, no index, and most annoyingly, no photo of the "amazing dog" that Brock describes, ending the book, alluding to Truman's remark about how to have a friend in Washington.

Reactionary movements, in order to thrive, must have an enemy - someone who can be demonized and dismissed as subhuman. When communism collapsed, the right choose as its new enemy - us, its fellow Americans. Suddenly, everyone who isn't on the extreme right-hand edge of the political spectrum is an evil, baby-eating "Liberal" - not a fellow citizen to be disagreed with but a treasonous enemy to be utterly destroyed. Political discourse has been replaced with increasingly hysterical ranting by extremists who sneer at traditional conservative values such as civility and public service, and are obsessed with annihilating "the enemy" at all costs.

David Brock lays out the sordid history and chilling agenda of the extreme right in riveting detail. Page after page reveals the mind-blowing hypocrisy of the self-congratulating guardians of family values, their brazen lies, their open racism and anti-Semitism. I didn't think my opinion of the reactionary right could go any lower, until I read this book.

This is a long overdue exposé of a movement that is politically, intellectually and most of all morally bankrupt. Anyone who wonders how so much poisonous rancor has been injected into the US political process must read this book.